. >> reporter: president obama, attending a hanukkah reception last night at the white house, remembered mandela as a champion of human rights. >> a moral giant who embodied the dignity and the courage and hope. and sought to bring about justice, not only in south africa, but i think inspire millions around the world. >> reporter: those millions, moved by mandela's long walk to freedom. imprisoned for 27 years. he became a global symbol of the fight against apartheid. from his tiny cell, mandela rallied millions against racism and injustice. in 1990, the south african government, under heavy pressure at home and around the world, released mandela, and began dismantling apartheid. >> never again shall we be. the spirit, the oppression. >> reporter: south africa will hold a memorial service in a 90,000-seat stadium. president obama plans to attend. >> president obama said he was inspired by nelson mandela. what impact did he have on the president's life? >> reporter: huge impact. he met nelson mandela only once in 2005, when the president was a u.s. senator. but he studied nelson mandela's